84 THE CECILS
of my lewd son. I am perplexed what to think. The shame that I shall receive to have so unruled a son grieveth me more than if I had lost him by honest death. Good Windebank, consult with my dear friend Sir N. Throckmorton, to whom I have referred the whole. I would be best content that he would commit him secretly to some sharp prison. If that shall not seem good, yet would I rather have him sent away to Strasburg, if it could be possible, or to Lorraine, for my grief will grow double to see him until some kind of amends. If none of these will serve, then bring him home, and I shall receive that which it pleaseth God to lay upon my shoulders : that is, in the midst of my business, for comfort a daily torment. If you shall come home with him, to cover the shame let it appear to be by reason of the troubles there. I rather desire to have this summer spent, though it were but to be absent from my sight. I am so troubled as well what to write I know not."
Poor Windebank had lost all control over his charge, and on April 26th, he writes in despair : " I have foreborne to write plainly, but now I am clean out of hope and am forced to do so. Sir, I do see that Mr. Thomas has utterly no mind nor disposition in him to apply to any learning, being carried away by other affections that rule him, so as it maketh him forget his duty in all things." He begs Cecil to recall his son to England and desires that he may himself be " discharged of this burden and care, such as he never had the like." " For, Sir," he is obliged to add, " I must needs let you know (as my duty constraineth me) that I am not able to persuade him to spend his time better or to do any other thing than he liketh himself, and so he hath told me plainly, and so indeed do I find it."
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